The World Ballet Competition, known as one of the world’s most popular dance competitions, ended its 2nd OPEN Edition in Sibiu, Romania to great applause. Over 50 competitors from all over the world (USA, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Serbia, Moldova and Romania) competed for the grand prize of $3,000 US Dollars, top awards in each category, and a coveted spot to the final contest held in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Photo by Ovidiu Matiu

Competitors showed talent and artistic virtuosity during the three days of competition held from Thursday, March 21, 2013 through Saturday, March 23, 2013 and broadcasted live on the internet to worldwide viewers. Ballet dancers were separated into three individual age categories: Introductory (9-13 years), Pre-Professional (14 to 17 years), Professional (18-26 years); and two group categories: Ensemble (ages 9-26) and Pas de Deux (ages 14-26).

On Saturday, March 23, the top scoring contestants in each category competed for the WBC OPEN Excellence Award Prize of $3,000 US Dollars. All tried to impress an international jury composed of former professionals, many of whom are now ballet masters such as Vasile Petruţiu (USA) - President of the Jury and Director of the World Ballet Competition in Orlando, Florida; Sergiu Anghel (Romania); Cosmin Marculeţiu (USA); Luba Gulyaeva (Russia); Dorin Gal (Germany); Alexander Hoffmann (Germany); Egle Spokaite (Lithuania), and Elisabetta Hertel (Italy).

Following the 3rd day of the contest held each evening, the judges decided to give the WBC OPEN Excellence Award prize of three thousand dollars and qualification to the World Ballet Competition 2013 in Orlando, Florida, USA to not one, but six competitors. The Prizes were awarded as follow:

On Sunday, March 24, 2013, the Award Ceremony was held followed by the closing “Gala of the Stars” performance at the House of Culture in Sibiu featuring winning contestants alongside featured international guest artists. Popular competitor pieces including the opening piece: Pas de Deux from Don Quixote vivaciously danced by Risa Mochizuki and Takahiro Tsubo of Japan (both who won the WBC OPEN Excellence Award and $750 each). The crowd favorite was an ensemble piece entitled “What a Feeling” (music by Flashdance) danced by students of La Sylphide Studio Dans of Romania. Their funky dance moves and familiar music brought back memories from the 80’s era and revved up the audience enthusiasm. Cosmin Marinescu revealed his immense talent with enviable limber flexibility and arched feet while Irina Tarau and Cristina Badro proved their technical prowess; each dancing a Kitri Variation from Don Quixote. Leanne Fromm who received the only Gold medal in the competition, danced a Variation from Harlequinade with expert precision and youthful charm.

The highlights of the evening were the international guest stars: Jordan Elizabeth Long (USA) and Ernesto Boada (Cuba) who delightfully danced the pas de deux from Satanella. Long showed clean lines and melted into each plie of her variation, while Boada charmed the crowd throughout the pas de deux. Yoel Carero (Cuba) and Cristina Dijmaru (Romania) made for a spectacular partnership and a dramatic ending of the evening; showing true grace, power, and exemplary technique in the pas de deux from Diana and Acteon.

The World Ballet Competition OPEN event, sponsored by the Casa de Cultura a Municipiului Sibiu and Teatrul de Balet Sibiu, received great acclaim from its participants and audiences. A 3rd OPEN edition of the World Ballet Competition is set for March 2014 in Sibiu, Romania!